Regarding replacement of damper pads, another technique that I read is to remove the drive belt, then place a 4x4 block of wood directly under the center pulley and set the machine down. The block of wood will lift the complete assembly of tubs and damper, pushing them up from the base enough to get to the damper pads. I don't know if that is any easier or works as well as turning the whole machine upside-down on a cooler or not since I've never done it. Here is the link: Maytag Washer Damper Pad Replacement

If you do it his way, you take a chance on bending the main pulley, but don't pay me no mind...when it starts howling and chewing up belts it will be too late .

Those zany Canadians over at applianceaid have taken the Sublime course in appliance repair. They forgot that the thrust bearing which releases the brake sits inside that lower pulley, and the last thing we want to do is focus the entire weight of his heavy machine on that bearing and pulley. Trust me on that one.

The spanner wrench, Washer Tub Bearing Kit (Part 204013), and Washer Mounting Stem & Boot Seal Kit (Part 22204012) all finally arrived. Got busy with the spanner wrench. I've whacked it around and around the center post with the rubber mallet. Must have slowly made three or four full circles. But the nut still does not spin freely. Yes, I am going in a clockwise direction. I can tell that it has unthreaded somewhat because the outer basket now spins easily. But it looks like I have a long way to go to get the nut off. How many times around will I need to go with the spanner wrench? Every time I walk by, I whack at it until I am tired. Is there any risk that I am stripping the threads? Or is this proceeding as normal?

Also, would it be a good idea to spray anything on there like WD-40 or anything else to loosen it up? Is there anything that would help?

It won't hurt to sprayWD40 on the top of the nut, but there are times when I have had to break out the cold chisel and cut the nut off. Remember that a new nut and what it attaches to is included in the 22204012 boot seal kit, so don't be afraid to go Postal. Try not to bang the porcelain on the tub while you're at it